Air delivery apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An air compressor, air reservoir and an air dryer each are provided on wheeled frame. Compressed air charges the reservoir and is dehumidified in the dryer for simultaneous delivery to plural air ventilation systems worn by individuals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to air delivery systems, andmore particularly to a modular air delivery system that provides asupply of pressurized, treated air to protective equipment worn by anindividual to regulate the individual's body temperature.

BACKGROUND

Many people wear equipment and clothing designed to protect them fromtemperature extremes, and to regulate the temperature of their body.Professionals such as firefighters and athletes most often use this typeof protective equipment and clothing, although use of such clothing isby no means limited to these users. For example, firefighters arerequired to wear heavy clothing that provides protection from extremeheat. While the heavy clothing worn by firefighters serves an importantfunction by shielding the user from heat, it similarly is very warm andcan lead to the wearer becoming overheated. Likewise, athletes such asfootball and hockey players, and racecar drivers wear heavy protectivegear that provides essential protection, but which may lead tooverheating. This is especially true with football players who oftenplay in hot, humid conditions. Just as heavy protective clothing andequipment serves a necessary purpose, in doing so it can contribute tooverheating, which in extreme cases may be a dangerous condition.

Various ventilation systems worn by athletes and the like have beendesigned for alleviating overheating caused by protective clothing andequipment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,119 to Zafred, U.S. Pat. No.5,970,519 to Weber, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,019 to Turner et al. eachdescribe ventilation systems that are worn by individuals who canbenefit by keeping body temperature regulated. Each of the coolingapparel systems described in these patents requires a source of a fluidthat may be supplied to the apparel system. In the '119 patent theapparel device is connected to a source of liquid carbon dioxide. Thecooling garment is charged with liquid carbon dioxide, which converts toa solid phase in the garment, and the garment is then disconnected fromthe carbon dioxide source. The solid carbon dioxide in the garmentsublimates while the garment is worn to thereby cool the user. The '519patent provides a method for connecting the garment to a source ofrelatively dry air—the air flows through an air permeable layer in thegarment to cool the wearer. Air may be supplied to the garment from apressurized canister mounted to a wearer's belt, a remote supply such asa compressor, or a portable blower. The '019 patent describes aventilation system having an air bladder that receives air from acompressor to supply warm or cooled air to the ventilation system.

There is a need for improved air delivery systems designed for use withventilation systems worn by individuals to regulate body temperature.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular air delivery system for use insupplying treated air to plural individuals wearing ventilationapparatus. The system is modular and easily transported to any location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects andadvantages will be apparent by reference to the following detaileddescription of the invention when taken in conjunction with thefollowing drawings.

FIG. 1 is schematic view of a modular air delivery apparatus accordingto the present invention showing components of the apparatus and oneenvironment in which the modular air delivery apparatus may be used.

FIG. 2 is front view of a preferred embodiment of ventilation system, inthis case a ventilation garment, with which the modular air deliveryapparatus may be used.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 2 with theouter layer of the garment removed to expose the underlying layer.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 3, withthe outer layer of the garment removed to expose the underlying layer.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6. is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inner layer ofthe ventilation system shown in FIG. 2, prior to the ventilation systembeing incorporated into a garment.

FIG. 7. is a plan view of the ventilation system shown in FIG. 6,illustrating air channels.

FIG. 8. is a plan view outer layer of the ventilation system shown inFIG. 2, prior to the ventilation system being incorporated into agarment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Where ventilations systems such as those described herein are used,there is often a need to supply air to more than one user of the system.For example, many members of a football team's offense may be wearingventilation systems such as that described below with reference to FIGS.2 through 8. Each individual player in this case needs to have aseparate supply of air. The same is true of firefighters: there areinstances where many individuals need to attach their ventilation systemto a supply of cooling air. In addition, in many locations whereventilation systems are worn, there are a variety of restrictions inplace on the types of equipment that are allowed. As just one example,many football stadiums place restrictions on the type and size ofcompressors that are allowed onto the sidelines—gas-powered compressorsmay not allowed, or if they are allowed, they must be remotely locatedfrom the place where the players need them. The same is true in icearenas where hockey is played. The air delivery apparatus 10 describedherein may be used to deliver treated air to any suitable ventilationsystem, and is capable of delivering treated air to plural users. Onesuitable ventilation system is described herein with reference to aventilation garment.

With reference now to FIG. 1, the air delivery apparatus 10 according tothe present invention is shown as including several component parts,each of which is a contained in a separate wheeled module. Thus,apparatus 10 includes an air compressor 12, a first air reservoir 20, asecond, optional air reservoir 22, a dryer 30, and a treated airdistribution module referenced generally with number 40 that isconfigured to simultaneously deliver treated air to plural ventilationsystems, each worn by a wearer such as 50 a, 50 b, 50 c. . . through 50g. In the illustration of FIG. 1, wearers 50 are shown to be athletessuch as football players seated on a player bench 52 such as would befound on the sidelines in a football stadium. From the description thatfollows it will be appreciated that the number of individual connectionsto wearers 50 that air delivery module 40 is designed to serve may betailored according to need. In the case of a football team, the numberof wearers could be 11 as shown in FIG. 1—the number of players on theoffensive and defensive teams. The invention is not limited to use byfootball players or players in any other sport, or any number ofwearers.

Each of the components will now be separately described.

Compressor 12, each air reservoir 20, 22, and air dryer 30 are modularunits that are supplied on wheeled frames 60 that allow the units to bevery portable and thus easily moved from place to place without theassistance of tractors and the like. The modular units may be quicklyconnected to and uncoupled from one another as shown in FIG. 1 withcoupling arms 62, and the coupling arms may be used as handles to pushand pull the units, as with coupling arm 62 on air dryer 30. The wheeledframes 60 allow the modular units to be moved individually or togetheras an interconnected group as in FIG. 1. The compressor, reservoirs andair dryer may be mounted onto wheeled frames in any appropriate mannerthat allows the frames and the equipment mounted on them to be easilymoved from location to location. While the wheeled frames maketransporting the individual modular units from place to place, themodular units may be provided without wheels so long as the units areportable.

Turning now to a description of the individual modules, air compressor12 is an electric compressor that preferably is operable on a 110V powersupply, although a compressor operable on a 220V or other power supplywill suffice. The preferred compressor 12 is a rotary vane type ofcompressor. Such compressors are available from numerous commercialsuppliers. The air compressor 12 selected for use in any particular airdelivery apparatus 10 should be of an appropriate size for thatparticular apparatus, and should have sufficient operating capacity topressurize and maintain each air reservoir used in the apparatus.Although not shown in the drawings, air compressor 12 includesappropriate control mechanisms and operations indicators such as outputair pressure and the like.

Any number of air reservoirs such as first air reservoir 20 and secondair reservoir 22 may be used in series as shown in FIG. 1, and the aircompressor 12 should be of sufficient size to charge each air reservoirto the desired operating pressure. In the preferred embodiment the airreservoirs 20 and 22 are pressurized to an operating pressure of about100 lb/in² or above. Increasing the number of reservoirs 20 in an airdelivery apparatus 10 increases the output capacity of the system. Theair compressor 12 is connected to the first air reservoir 20 with aflexible high-pressure hose 24 that preferably is fitted with aquick-connect type of coupler 26 that allows the hose to be quicklyconnected to and disconnected from the air reservoir. Although a coupler26 is shown on only the downstream end of high-pressure hose 24, eachend of the hose may be fitted with a like coupler. Preferably, eachhigh-pressure hose used in apparatus 10 will be insulated to minimizeany change in air temperature resulting from environmental exposure.Moreover, the length of hosing is preferably minimized to reducefluctuation in air temperature between modular units such as aircompressor 12, and air reservoir 20. Each air reservoir 20, 22preferably includes an air pressure gauge 21 and other appropriatecontrol apparatus such as air pressure regulation valves and the like.

Each successive air reservoir is likewise coupled to the previousreservoir with a high-pressure hose fitted with quick-connect couplers.Thus, second air reservoir 22 is connected to first air reservoir 20with high-pressure hose 28 equipped with coupler 26.

Air dryer 30 is a compressed air dryer having a capacity matched to thecapacity of the rest of apparatus 10, and preferably is of the typehaving an easily replaceable, modular desiccant cartridge. Thecompressed air dryer 30 dries the air to a relative humidity at theoutlet of the dryer that is appropriate under the conditions,considering for example the relative humidity and temperature of theambient air, the purpose for which the air is being used, etc. In atypical example of use of apparatus 10 with a football team in typicalweather conditions, air dryer 30 preferably dries the air to a relativehumidity at the outlet of the dryer of to a humidity in the range ofbetween about 50% to less than 1%. It will be appreciated that therelative humidity of air leaving the dryer may vary significantly. Aswith the high-pressure hoses that interconnect the first and second airreservoirs, compressed air dryer 30 is coupled to second air reservoir22 with a flexible high-pressure hose, preferably including quickconnect couplers 26. Compressed air dryer 30 preferably is equipped withmonitoring and control systems such as a relative humidity meter 31 thatprovides information about the moisture content of output air. Althoughnot shown in the drawings, an output air pressure regulating valve mayoptionally be used on the output fitting from air dryer 30. In someinstances the air dryer 30 may be omitted—for example, in locationswhere the ambient air is at a low relative humidity.

Desiccated air is output from compressed air dryer 30 to air deliverymodule 40, which includes a flexible, insulated high-pressure main airhose 42 that may optionally include an in-line pressure control valve 44operable to increase and or decrease air pressure in main air hose 42according to need. Main air hose 42 terminates in a T-fitting 46 thatsupplies first branch hose 48 and second branch hose 49. Each branchhose 48, 49 is fitted with plural T-fittings 51, each of which isconnected to an air connection hose 54 that is used to couple the airdelivery module 40 to individual wearers 50. In FIG. 1, seven individualwearers 50 are shown having their air ventilation apparel systemsconnected to one of the air connection hoses 54. Each air connectionhose 54 has a quick connect coupler 56 on its terminal end. Quickconnect couplers 56 are connectable to the input fittings on the airventilation apparel and are one-way valve fittings that are open when aconnection to an air ventilation garment is made, and closed when theconnection to the garment is disconnected.

Because the air delivery apparatus 10 described above is comprised ofmodular units that may be quickly and easily interconnected, the entireapparatus 10 may be delivered to locations where it is needed veryquickly. Because the air compressor 12 is powered by electricity, thereare few restrictions on transporting the unit on most carriers such asairlines, which often restrict transportation of equipment powered withfossil fuels. The individual components of apparatus 10 may thus betransported to any location, wheeled to a specific location wherewearers 50 are located (either before or after the individual modules12, 22, etc. are connected to one another), and operated.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 8, one preferred ventilation system 100with which the air delivery apparatus 10 described above may be used isdescribed. Although the ventilation system 100 described herein andshown in FIGS. 2 through 4 is embodied in a garment such as a T-shirt150, it is to be understood that the ventilation system may also beincorporated with or in other items such as, for example, footballhelmets, firefighter's headgear, pants, jackets, sports equipment,shoes, gloves, blankets, and any other item that may be used by anindividual to modify or regulate the individual's body temperature.

With reference to FIGS. 6 through 8, a ventilation system that isdesigned for incorporation into a T-shirt (as shown in FIGS. 2 through4) includes an inner layer 110 (FIG. 6), an outer layer 130 (FIG. 8) andan intermediate layer 120 (FIG. 7). Inner layer 110 is preferably afabric material having microporous structure that has holes of a sizethat allows air to diffuse through the layer. Outer layer 130 ispreferably a fabric material that is impermeable to air, such as fabriccoated with a plastic material. The three layers 110, 120 and 130 aresandwiched together atop one another such that the intermediate layer120 defines a series of air channels 122. The air channels 122 areoperatively connected through an air hose 140 to a source of air, suchas the air delivery apparatus 10 described herein.

It will be appreciated that intermediate layer 120 and the air channels122 defined in ventilation system 100 may be formed with glue appliedbetween the inner and outer layers 110 and 130, or may be formed bywelding the inner and outer layers, 110 and 130, together, such as withradio frequency welding. As such, intermediate layer 120 need not be adistinct layer, but instead is the joined interface area between theinner and outer layers, 110 and 130, that define the air channelsthrough the ventilation system. As noted above, the ventilation systemis typically incorporated into a garment such as the T-shirt 150 shownin FIGS. 2 through 4.

The portion in which the intermediate layer 120 comprises glue or weldedareas is shown in the drawings with stippling and is identified in FIG.7 with reference number 124. The arrows 112 in the drawings illustratethe flow of air through ventilation system 100. Air is introduced toventilation system 100 through air hose 140 and flows through channels122. When the ventilation system is incorporated into a T-shirt 150, theair channels 122 extend over the front and back portions of the garmentso that air flows over the user's back, shoulders and chest. Referringto FIG. 5, air flowing through channel 122 diffuses through inner layer120, which as noted is permeable to air, toward the wearer's body. Outerlayer 130 is not air-permeable, so air flows in a one-way directionthrough inner layer 110, toward the wearer's body. Because outer layer130 is not permeable, a series of through holes 160 are formed throughthe ventilation system 100 in the glued areas 124 to allow sweat toescape from the wearer's body to the atmosphere.

In operation, each of the individual modular units in apparatus 10 ispositioned as desired and interconnected to one another as shown inFIG. 1. Air compressor 12 is connected to an appropriate power sourceand each air reservoir 20, 22 is charged to a predetermined operatingpressure. The operating pressure is adjusted with pressure regulationcontrol valves. Pressure control valve 44, if used, is adjusted to thedesired output pressure according to the working pressure that is mostsuited to the type of air ventilation garment that the wearers areusing. The air dryer 30 is adjusted so that the air delivered to usersis desiccated relative to atmospheric air, and as noted, the relativehumidity of the air delivered to users is about 30% or less.

The wearers may then connect their ventilation garments such asventilation a systems 100 to air delivery hoses with quick connectcouplers 56 as desired. Once a connection is made, air having desiredmoisture content and pressure is delivered to the ventilation garment.

It will be appreciated that compressed air is normally cooler thanambient air temperatures. As such, air delivery apparatus 10 need notinclude refrigeration systems to deliver air that is relatively coolerthan ambient air. Moreover, because the air delivered from air deliveryapparatus 10 to the wearers 50 has a relative humidity that is lowerthan that of the atmosphere, evaporative drying and the cooling effectof it is increased. Nonetheless, air delivery apparatus 10 mayoptionally include an air refrigerator 70 inline in the system, shownschematically in FIG. 1 in main air hose 42.

Likewise, air delivery apparatus 10 may optionally be used to deliverheated air to wearers 50 by use of an air heater 72, also shownschematically inline in main air hose 42. Where an air refrigerator 70and/or an air heater 72 are used, the equipment is provided on a wheeledframe with quick connect couplings.

As noted above, because each of the modular units that are used in airdelivery apparatus 10 are separately contained on wheeled frames (i.e.,air compressor 12, air reservoir 20, air dryer 30), the entire systemmay be quickly transported to the precise location where it is needed.For example, in the case where athletes such as football players arewearing the ventilation systems 100, the air delivery apparatus 10 maybe set up next to the players' bench. Hockey teams may similarly set thesystem up next to the bench. As used herein, the term “sidelines” thusrefers to a location adjacent a sporting field such as a football field,hockey rink, etc. As noted above, the air delivery apparatus 10 may beused to deliver treated air to firefighters and the like, as well. Theterm sidelines thus by analogy refers to the locations where the airdelivery apparatus may be used to deliver treated air to any user. WithAmerican football players, some or all of the offensive team members maybe connected to the air delivery apparatus on the sideline while thedefensive team is on the field, and vice versa.

While the present invention has been described in terms of a preferredembodiment, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill that thespirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments,but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined inthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An air delivery apparatus for delivering air simultaneouslyto a plurality of individuals, each wearing an air ventilation garmentfor regulating the individuals body temperature, comprising: an aircompressor; an air reservoir fluidly connected to the air compressor forstoring compressed air via a first fluid conduit the air reservoir beingdownstream of the air compressor, the air reservoir being operable to bepressurized to a predetermined operating pressure by the air compressor;an air dryer fluidly connected to the air reservoir; an air distributionmodule fluidly connected to the air dryer; and a plurality ofventilation garments worn by individuals to regulate body temperature,the air distribution module operable for simultaneously delivering airto the plurality of ventilation garments, each of the plurality ofventilation garments comprising an air permeable inner layer with porousfabric material that provides air permeability through the inner layer,an air impermeable fabric outer layer, and plural air channels definedbetween said inner and outer layers, a first coupling arm that removablyand mechanically connects the air compressor and the air reservoir, andfurther comprising a second coupling arm that removably and mechanicallyconnects the air reservoir and the air dryer, wherein the first couplingarm and the second coupling arm do not provide fluid connections.
 2. Theair delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air distributionmodule is further defined by a main air delivery hose connected to theair reservoir and plural branch hoses, each branch hose capable ofconnection to an individual using an air ventilation system.
 3. The airdelivery apparatus according to claim 2 having a pressure control valvein the main air delivery hose.
 4. The air delivery apparatus accordingto claim 1 including an air refrigerator between the air dryer and theair distribution module.
 5. The air delivery apparatus according toclaim 1 including an air heater between the air dryer and the airdistribution module.
 6. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 1including an air refrigerator and an air heater between the air dryerand the air distribution module.
 7. The air delivery apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the air dryer is operable to dry air delivered to theair distribution module to a relative humidity of less than 50%.
 8. Theair delivery apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the air compressoris an electric rotary vane compressor.
 9. The air delivery apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said garment includes plural holesextending through the inner and outer layers.
 10. The air deliveryapparatus according to claim 9 wherein said garment includes a fittingfor selective connection of the garment to the air distribution module.11. The air delivery apparatus according to claim 10 wherein theindividuals are athletes.
 12. The air delivery apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein the athletes are football players.
 13. The air deliveryapparatus of claim 1, wherein the porous fabric material has amicroporous structure allowing air to diffuse through the inner layer.14. The air delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein the air compressor isoperable to charge the air reservoir to a predetermined operatingpressure of at least 100 lb/in².
 15. The air delivery apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the air dryer is fluidly connected to theair reservoir via a second fluid conduit, wherein the air dryer isdownstream of the air reservoir.
 16. The air delivery apparatusaccording to claim 15, further comprising a first coupling arm thatremovably and mechanically connects the air compressor and the airreservoir, and further comprising a second coupling arm that removablyand mechanically connects the air reservoir and the air dryer.
 17. Theair delivery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air compressoris mounted on a first wheeled frame, wherein the air reservoir ismounted on a second wheeled frame, and wherein the air dryer is mountedon third wheeled frame such that the air compressor, the air reservoir,and the air dryer are portable independent of each other.
 18. An airdelivery apparatus for delivering treated air simultaneously to pluralbody temperature regulating air ventilation apparatus, comprising: anair compressor; an air reservoir fluidly connected to the air compressorfor storing compressed air via a first fluid conduit, the air reservoirbeing downstream of the air compressor, the air reservoir being operableto be pressurized to a predetermined operating pressure by the aircompressor; an air desiccator fluidly connected to the air reservoir: anair distribution module fluidly connected to the air desiccator andhaving plural air distribution lines; and plural air ventilation garmentmeans, each configured for being worn by an individual and each forcooling the body of the individual, and each air ventilation meansselectively connectable to an air distribution line, each airventilation means further comprising a garment worn by an individual,said garment comprising an air permeable inner layer with porous fabricmaterial that provides air permeability through the inner layer, an airimpermeable fabric outer layer, and plural air channels between saidinner and outer layers, wherein the air compressor is mounted on a firstwheeled frame, wherein the air reservoir is mounted on a second wheeledframe, and wherein the air dryer is mounted on third wheeled frame suchthat the air compressor, the air reservoir, and the air dryer areportable independent of each other.
 19. The apparatus according to claim18 wherein said garment includes plural holes extending through theinner and outer layers.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein theporous fabric material has a microporous structure allowing air todiffuse through the inner layer.
 21. The apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe air compressor is operable to charge the air reservoir to apredetermined operating pressure of at least 100 lb/in².
 22. Theapparatus according to claim 18, wherein the air dryer is fluidlyconnected to the air reservoir via a second fluid conduit, wherein theair dryer is downstream of the air reservoir.
 23. The apparatusaccording to claim 22, further comprising a first coupling arm thatremovably and mechanically connects the air compressor and the airreservoir, and further comprising a second coupling arm that removablyand mechanically connects the air reservoir and the air dryer.